SAN DIEGO — Homeless advocates say San Diego's Safe Sleeping Sites where hundreds of homeless residents are currently staying are flooded and the city has been forced to move dozens to dryer areas.
One homeless advocate, who wished to stay anonymous, said both tent sites at 20th and B Street and the O Lot were flooded and the city has moved some people indoors into various locations in Balboa Park.
The city confirmed that a temporary shelter has been put into use at the Balboa Park Activity Center located on Park Blvd. for those affected by the flooding at other homelessness shelter locations including the 16th and Newton Bridge Shelter and the 20th and B Safe Sleeping site. They also coordinated transportation from both locations to ensure the safety of the individuals during the temporary transition.
The evacuations at the homeless tent sites come as heavy rains have inundated entire city neighborhoods and forced law enforcement to shut down portions of freeways.
The flooding also comes as a gastrointestinal illness has spread throughout the O Lot, infecting approximately 30 residents as well as a handful of workers.
As for the flooding, homeless advocate Joanne Standlee told CBS 8 that it wasn't very surprising. "One would think there would be some foresight with these parking lots. Large puddles formed at both of the lots during the brief rain we experienced at the end of November," Standlee told CBS 8. "They've had seven weeks to prepare a response for heavy rain. We knew this would be a serious storm, we've been warned that an atmospheric river was heading our way for over a week, yet they did nothing to prepare the sites or formulate an evacuation plan."
WATCH RELATED: San Diego Storm Update 1:30PM | Northbound I-15 flooded at 32nd Street
